Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, at Fenway Park to speak with reporters for the first time since exercising his $3 million player option to return to Boston for the 2010 season, said that he is not yet giving any thought to the idea of retiring. While there will come a time when he considers doing so, his focus right now is on the coming season, rather than on the end of his career.

That said, the catcher acknowledged that he is ready for the likelihood of a diminished role in 2010. The Sox have already said that they anticipate that Victor Martinez will be their primary catcher next year. Varitek anticipates sitting down with manager Terry Francona and the Sox coaching staff in spring training, and will accept whatever role is defined for him.

"We've got time. We'll have our meetings in spring training," said Varitek. "Right now, I have to make sure I'm physically ready to go in spring training. That's what...

A group consisting of some Bruins greats, including Bobby Orr, Ray Bourque, Cam Neely and Milt Schmidt, tried out the rink at Fenway Park Friday morning. Check out the Big Bad Blog for photos from the skate.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter made his weekly appearance on the Dennis & Callahan show Friday morning. Schefter addressed the Randy Moss controversy and defended his co-workers at ESPN who insisted Moss played well on Sunday. "Merril [Hoge] and Greg Cosell are two of the smartest guys I know. If they are saying [Moss didn't quit], there's something to it," Schefter said. "When they say he was putting forth effort and that he was trying ... they're saying it because they really believe it."

Schefter said he expects Moss will return to the Patriots next season. "They don't have a lot of receivers right now, and they don't have another receiver like him. I think he will be back," Schefter said. "Yes, he comes with some baggage, but you're still talking about one of the great receivers in the game."

Schefter also commented on linebacker Adalius Thomas, one week after correctly...

USC football coach Pete Carroll joined the Dennis & Callahan show Friday morning to talk about the upcoming Emerald Bowl game against Boston College. Carroll said his team, a BCS bowl regular the past few years, will not have a problem getting fired up to play BC on Dec. 26.

"We've never put this value system on any bowls like you might think," Carroll said. "We just go out and have a good time every day and se if we can play some good football." Carroll added that his team takes the challenge of Boston College seriously, especially with USC having struggled lately. "We've got to get right, or we're going to get our butt kicked," Carroll said. "We're not going to be overconfident, I can tell you right now."

Carroll was asked about fired Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, who has taken verbal shots at Carroll, most recently last month in an interview with a Notre Dame website (Weis...

College basketball coaching legend Bobby Knight, speaking at a function in Indiana, questioned why Kentucky coach John Calipari still is coaching after putting two schools on probation for NCAA violations. You'll find that, plus links to the day's top stories, videos (including the latest from basketball trick-shot specialist Dude Perfect), trivia and more at Friday's Morning Mashup.

Greg and Chris talk with Mike Reiss from ESPN Boston in hour 2 of NFL Sunday to discuss a variety of offseason happenings with the Pats and throughout the league. Greg and Chris also get into the NFL Draft and where Mariota and Winston will go.

Mike Reiss calls the guys to talk about the offseason news for the Pats. He talks about the Pats/Jets tampoering fiasco, free agency, where he sees Ridley and Connolly ending up, if the Patriots would be interested in Reggie Wayne and more.

In the first hour of the show, Greg and Chris discuss the news coming out of the owners' meetings this week and rule changes. Belichick's blow-up over the league not wanting to spend on endzone cameras was well documented and the guys react. They also talk about the Jets ridiculous tampering charges, free agents still lingering out there, where Stevan Ridley will land and the RB position in New England. Dickerson and Price briefly discuss the adventures of Tom Brady before being joined by WEEI.com's Mike Petraglia to talk all things Pats in the offseason.

Flannery joins Mut to break down the Isaiah Thomas trade to Boston and what it means for the Celtics this season and in the future. Paul also chats with Mut about the other deals that happened at the NBA's trading deadline

Mut, Tomase, and Bradford kick things off talking about Shane Victorino taking offense to people reading into some comments he made about trading for Cole Hamels. They also discuss Blake Swihart and how soon he could be up if Christian Vazquez starts the season on the DL.

Joe Kelly joined the Hot Stove show where he talked about being ready for his next spring training start after a biceps ailment forced him out of his last outing, he talks about his NCAA brackets and how teammate Wade Miley has a perfect bracket still.

Peter Chiarelli joined the Sunday Skate crew to talk about the Bruins playoff push heading into the final handful of games of the regular season. Chiarelli talked about avoiding some of the overly negative feedback he gets while realizing that the team does have real issues. He discusses what went down at the trade deadline and if he was happy with the outcome, Lucic having a down year and underperforming, the salary cap and if he considers it as big of an issue as it's been made out to be and what the future holds for the team.

It's a big hour #2 for the Sunday Skate dudes - they talk about the B's defenseman and what the future looks like at that position, with both moves the team can make and younger guys in the AHL. They also get into the Bruins philosophy on bringing guys up and sending them back down and how players deal with that. Finally, the boys are joined by Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli to discuss EVERYTHING.

The Sunday Skate crew gets the show going discussing the Bruins big, impressive victory over the NY Rangers yesterday. What can you take from that game? According to LB - Lyndon Byers - who called the guys from the road, not a lot. LB drops a dime on what was going on with the Rangers yesterday. DJ and Joe discuss Claude's lines and groupings and the importance of Ryan Spooner. They also get into Lucic, his contributions this year and if he can turn things around.

With the Wells report seemingly wrapping up (we hope), Tim and Lou got to talking about possible fines and punishments the Patriots must face. It's possible that the Patriots will face a small fine, but should they take that laying down? The conversation brings out a little passion from BOTH sides.